Stopper for drains



Dec. 1940- I H. z. GORA STOPPER FOR DRAINS Filed July 18, 1939 PatentedDec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,226,464 STOPPER FOR BRAINS Henry Z. Gora,Bridgeport, 001111., assignor to Jenkins Bross New York, N. Y., acorporation of New Jersey Application July 18, 1939, Serial No. 285,187

10 Claims.

This invention relates to watertight closures for drain openings such asused in bathtubs, washbasins, sinks and the like.

Closures of the type referred to commonly inelude a stopper of rubber orlike material that is provided with a post, sometimes embedded thereinand sometimes passed therethrough, which is apertured to receive a ringconnected to a chain. Even when the ring is properly applied initiallyand is of proper proportions with respect to the aperture, the posttends to stick on the ring with lapse of time and use, so that when theplug is lowered by the chain it does not hang plumb, but is cooked withrespect thereto, thereby interfering with ready insertion in the drainopening, and this difficulty is accentuated if the ring becomesdistorted or for other reasons the post fails to slip easily along thering. Furthermore, if it is necessary or desirable to replace the stop-20 per, removal of the ring from the post is noteasily effected, andthen only with pliers. also been proposed to apply bead chains tostoppers by use of special adaptors or connectors, but devices of thistype heretofore suggested have been open to various objections,,beingcomplicated and expensive to manufacture, not easily assembled anddisassembled, etc., and accordingly they have not received wideacceptance.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved stopperassembly with a post and chain of such construction that the stopperwill normally hang plumb from the chain and thereby facilitate insertioninto the drain opening.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the typecharacterized in which the chain may be readily connected to; anddisconnected from the post to facilitate assembly and replacement. 1

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the typecharacterized which,.though facilitating connection and disconnection ofthe chain to and from the post, is so constructed as to assure againstaccidental disconnection.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the typecharacterized which will permit the chain to assume a position, when thechain is not taut, such that no loop is formed in the chain at oradjacent its attachment to the post. i w l Another object of thisinvention. is to provide a device of the type characterized which isrelatively simple in construction'and inexpensive to manufacture, andwhich is both sanitary and durable.

Another object of this invention is to provide It has a stopper with apost connected to a bead chain wherein connection and disconnection ofthe chain to and from the post is facilitated.

Another object of this invention is to provide an assembly as justreferred to wherein accidental disconnection of the chain from the postis prevented.

Another object-of this invention is to provide a stopper witha postconnected to a bead chain wherein the end of the chain connected withthe 10 post is caused to assume such a relationship to the post when thechain is not taut that said end of the chain lies nearly or quite at aright angle to the axis of the post.

Another object of this invention is to provide a 15 stopper with a postconnected to a bead chain wherein the post may be formed as a stampingand thereby a minimum number of simple operations are involved in thefabrication of the post.

Another object of this invention is to provide a 20 stopper with a postconnected to a bead chain wherein a permanent connection between thepost and the stopper material is assured.

Another object ofthis invention is to provide a stopper with a postconnected to a bead chain 25 which is simple in construction, and strongand durable in service.

Other objects will appear as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention is capable of receiving a variety 30 of mechanicalexpressions, some of which are shown on the accompanying drawing, but itis to be expressly understood that the drawing is for purposes ofillustration only, and is not to be construed as a definition of thelimits of the inven- 35 tion, reference being had to the appended claimsfor that purpose.

Referring in detail to the drawing, wherein the same referencecharacters are employed to designate corresponding parts in the severalfig- 4o ures,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an axial section of the embodiment of Fig. 1 on a largerscale; 45

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the post of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a sectional view and a top plan view ofanother embodiment;

Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a top plan view and a sectional view ofyet another embodiment 50 of the present invention; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively a top plan view and a sectional view ofyet another embodiment, but on a smaller scale.

Referring first to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a stopperIQ of any suitable size, form and material has embedded therein andintegrally locked thereto a post H to which is attached a bead chain l2.The post II is preferably formed as a stamping so that it may beinexpensively produced, and as shown is composed of an inner tubularportion I3 having at its inner extremity an outwardly directed flange14. The outer portion l5 of the post is also tubular in form andpreferably of a somewhat reduced diameter as respects the portion l3 soas to provide an inwardly inclined shoulder I5. Thus the material of thestopper l G, as rubber, may be molded about the inner end of the postand vulcanized, with the flange I4 embedded in the stopper material andthe upper face H of the stopper disposed outside of the shoulder It, soas to interlock the post in the stopper at spaced locations.

The tip of the post II is preferably curved symmetrically to the axis ofthe post, at least at its inner surface, and while as hereinafterreferred to in connection with the embodiment next to be described, asingle slot may be provided, the preferred embodiment of this inventionemploys four radially extended slots l8 which meet in an aperture at theaxis of the post, the transverse dimensions of said slots and of saidaperture being smaller than the diameter of the end bead 20 of saidchain It but large enough to pass freely the adjacent link 2| thereof.At one side of the post a slot 58 leads into an aperture 19 which is ofsuch size as to pass freely said end bead 20 of the chain. To preventaccidental disconnection of the chain from the post after the end bead28 has been passed through the aperture 19 and the end link 2! has beenpassed into the slot i 8 communicating therewith, said slot is providedwith an inwardly projecting lug 22 having an inclined lower face 23 topermit wedging of the end link 2! therepast, said lug having its innerface 23' substantially at a right angle to the wall of the slot so thatit will resist withdrawal of the link past said lug 22 except when saidlug is aligned with the space between said lug and the opposite wall oftheslot and considerable pressure is exerted thereon in the direction ofthe slot to force it past said lug.

When the stopper is suspended on the chain the end bead is centered bythe inner curved surface at the end of the post and the stopper willalways hang plumb therefrom. When the stopper is in operative positionor resting upon any surface, the weight of the chain when released willcarry it into one of the four slots l8, as shown in Fig. 1, because aswill be evident from an inspection of Fig. 3, the sharp corners providedby the intersection of the slots I8 leaves no surface on which the endlink 2| can hang, whereby gravity will pull the chain downwardly withthe end link 2i falling into that one of the four slots l8 toward whichgravity happens to be acting when chain 23 is released. Hence no loopcan .form. at the inner end of the chain as would occur if the end linkwere held in the axis of the post when the chain is released. While fourslots 18 have been shown, this number is not essentialprovided that asumcient number of slots is used so that the chain will fall into one ofthem when released.

The inner end of the post may be closed as in the next embodiment to bedescribed, either by an integral end wall as shown in Fig. 4 or by aseparate attached wall as shown in Fig. '7, but to increase the extentof adhesion between the post and the stopper material, and also todecrease the interior recess as more sanitary, a disk 24 of metal orother suitable material is preferably seated on the inner face of theshoulder l6, thereby preventing the stopper material from being forcedinto the outer portion of the post during the molding operation, whileproviding that the stopper material fills the portion i3 and therebyincreases the contact between the post and stopper material to effectbetter adhesion therebetween. While the disk 24 may be and preferably isa separate disk that is applied to the post, this is not essential aswill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5 employs a tubular post of much the sameconfiguration and construction as that above described in conjunctionwith the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 3 but here the inner end of the posthas an end wall 25 formed integrally therewith and connected to thetubular portion [3 by a reverse fold providing a flange 26. This postmay also be formed by a stamping operation, after which the end portionl5 of said post is subjected to a suitable shaping operation. In theembodiment of Figs. 4 and 5 a single slot 2! is shown as leading to theaperture l9 through which the end head of the chain is passed, but aswill be apparent a plurality of intersecting slots i8 may be used inthis embodiment as in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3. As shown in Fig.5, the slot 27 tapers at 28 to provide a narrow neck 29 through whichthe end link may be wedged or forced into the aperture 39 at the axis ofthe post. Said constriction in the slot 21 will resist accidentalwithdrawal of the end link frotn the aperture 30, but said end link maybe forced therethrough when properly aligned therewith and a suitableforce is exerted thereon.

As an additional means for loclnng the end ball in the post the metalcut to provide the aperture l9 may not be completely severed from thebody of the post, as shown in the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7, so as toleave an inwardly directed flap 3| that is joined to the side wall ofthe post at 32,

the structure of Figs. 6 and 7 being otherwise the 1 same as that ofFigs. 4 and 5, although if preferred some or all of the features of theembodiments of Figs. 1 to 3 may also be used in this embodiment. Whenthe end bead 28 is passed through the aperture IS! the flap 3| is forceddownwardly sufficiently to permit the ball to move therepast, afterwhich said flap 3!, preferably by the inherent resiliency of itsattachment at 32, is moved back sufficiently to lock the end ball withinthe post, and this will prevent disconnection of the bead chain from.the post even though by accident a sufiicient tug is applied to thechainin an angular direction with respect to the axis of the post to pull thechain into the slot 21.- However, by depressing the flap 3| the post canbe readily disconnected from the chain as in the embodiment of Figs. 4and 5. Fig. 7 shows end wall 25 separably formed from and beaded onto aflange at the end of tubular portion l3.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate an embodiment of the invention which in manyrespects is similar to that of Figs. 2 and 3 but employing three slots40 spaced 120 apart and intersecting at an aperture at the axis of thepost which will pass the end link but not the end bead of the chain. At

one side of the post one of the slots 40 leads into an aperture 42',tangentially thereof, which is of a size to pass the end bead 20 of thechain. As in the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3, one wall of the slot 40leading to aperture 42' has an inwardly projecting lug 42 having aninclined face 43 to permit wedging of the end link therepast, butresisting movement in the opposite direction to prevent accidentaldisconnection of the chain from the post.

It will therefore be perceived that the present .invention provides astopper with a post which tends to hang freely at the end of the chainso that it can be lowered into a drain opening without the stopper beingcocked with respect to the chain to interfere with ready introduction ofthe stopper. The post provided can be readily connected to anddisconnected from the chain, no tool being required to complete theconnection after the post has been applied to the chain and, except inthe embodiments of Figs. 6 and '7 which may require a simple pressure onthe flap 3| to depress the same, no tool is required to disconnect thepost from the chain. While the post is thus readily attachable to anddisconnectible from the chain, accidental disconnection is prevented,and this is effected without the use of parts which may work loose inservice. Provision is also made for the elimination of a loop at theinner end of the chain when the chain is not taut. The post is so formedthat it may be rapidly and inexpensively formed from a stamping, withsimple finishing operations that do not require skilled labor orexpensive machinery, and it is integrally locked with the material ofthe stopper, preferably at spaced locations at the flange and theshoulder referred to, while the adhesion of the post to the stoppermaterial can be increased as disclosed by causing the stopper materialto be engaged in the interior of the post.

While the embodiments illustrated on the drawing have been describedwith considerable particularity, it is to be expressly understood thatthe invention is not restricted thereto, as other embodiments of thepresent inventionwill now readily suggest themselves to those skilled inthe art. Thus while a hollow post is preferred because of the economiesinvolved in the production of the same, such is not necessary withinsome of the broader aspects of the present invention. Furthermore,features illustrated in connection with only one embodiment may be usedwith other embodiments; thus, for example, the inner disk 24 rather thanthe integral end wall 25 may be used in such embodiments of theinvention as illustrated in Figs. 4 to '7, or a plurality ofintersecting slots l8 may be used in these embodiments, etc. Changes mayalso be made in the details of construction, proportion, material, etc.,as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is tobe expressly understood that the stopper may be of any suitable form andcharacter, its details constituting no part of the present invention,and the bead chain may be of any suitable form, character andconstruction, its details also forming no part of the present invention.Reference is therefore to be had to the appended claims for a definitionof the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a stopperand a post having an outwardly extending flange embedded in said stopperwhereby said post is rigidly secured in said stopper, said post being'hollow at its outer end exteriorly of said stopper and having an endaperture at its axis, one or more slots leading into said aperture, andan aperture at the side communicating with a slot, said last namedaperture being large enough to pass the end bead of a bead chain andsaid axial aperture and slot or slots being large enough to pass a linkof said chain but not large enough to pass a head of said chain.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a stopperand a post interlocked with the material of said stopper at its innerend, said post at its junction with the upper face of said stopperhaving a shoulder underlying the stopper material at said face, saidpost being hollow at its outer end and having an aperture at its end,one or more slots leading into said aperture and a side aperturecommunicating with a slot, said last named slot and end aperture beingof a size to pass the link of a bead chain but of insufficient size topass a bead of said chain, and said side aperture being of a size topass the end bead of said chain.

3. In a device ofthe character described, the

combination of a stopper and a post interlocked with the material ofsaid stopper and having at least its outer end hollow, said post havingan aperture at it's'outer end, a plurality of slots leading to saidaperture and an aperture at the side communicating with a slot, saidslots and end aperture being of a size to pass the link of a bead chainbut not large enough to pass a head of said chain, and said sideaperture being of sufiicient size to pass a bead of said chain.

4'. In a device of the character described, the combination of a stopperand a post interlocked with the material of said stopper and having atleast its outer end hollow, said post having an aperture at its outerend, a plurality of slots leading to said aperture and an aperture atthe side communicating with one of said slots, said slots and endaperture being of a size to pass freely the link of a bead chain but'notlarge enough to pass a bead of said chain and said side apeliture beingof sufficient size to pass a head of said chain, said slots intersectingat points whereby the chain will fall into one of said slots under theaction of gravity when the chain is not taut.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a stopperand a post interlocked with the material of said stopper and having atleast its outer end hollow, said post having an aperture at its outerend, a plurality of slots leading to said aperture and an aperture atthe side communicating with a slot, said slots and end aperture being ofa size to pass the link of a bead chain but not 'large enough to pass abead of said chain and said side aperture being of sufficient size topass a bead of said chain, and a lug in said slot leading to said sideaperture for preventing accidental disengagement of the chain from saidpost.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a stopperand a post interlocked with the material of said stopper and having atleast its outer end hollow, said post having an aperture at its outerend, one or more slots leading to said aperture and an aperture at theside communicating with a slot, said slot or slots and end aperturebeing of a size to pass the link of a bead chain but not large enough topass a bead of said chain and said side aperture being of sufficientsize to pass a bead of said chain, said post having a wall to preventingress of the stopper material into at least a portion of the interiorof said post.

'7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a stopperand a hollow post interlocked with the material of said stopper, saidpost having an aperture at its outer end,one or more slots leading tosaid aperture and an aperture in the side communicating With a slot,said slot or slots and end aperture being of a size to pass the link ofa bead chain but not large enough to pass a bead of said chain and saidside ape-rture being of suflicient size to pass a bead of said chain,said post having a partition separating the interior thereof into anouter chamber and an inner chamber and said inner chamber beingsubstantially filled by the stopper material.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a stopperand a post interlocked with the material of said stopper and having atleast its outer end hollow, said post having an aperture at its outerend, a plurality of slots leading to said aperture and an aperture inthe side communicating with a slot, said slots and end aperture being ofa size to pass the link of a bead chain but not large enough to pass abead of said chain and said side aperture being of sufficient size topass a bead of said chain, "said s'lot leading from said side aperturebeing provided with a constriction permitting re'adylpassage of thechain link therepast in one direction and resisting but not preventingpassage of the chain link in the opposite direction.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a stopper,a post integrallyunited to said stopper and having at least its outerend hollow and a bead chain having its end bead received Within theouter hollow end of said pos't, said post having an axially disposed endaperture of a size to pass a link of said chain but not a bead thereof,one or more slots leading thereinto andof a size to pass said link and aside aperture communicating with a slot and of a size to pass a bead ofsaid chain and the inner wall of the hollow end of said post beingshaped to center. the end ball of said chain whereby said stopper willalways hang plumb from said chain.

10. In a device'of the character described, the combination of astopper, a post integrally united to said stopper and having at leastits outer end hollow and a bead chain having its end bead receivedwithin the outer hollow end of said post, said post having an axiallydisposed end' aperture of a size to pass a link of said chain but not abead thereof, a plurality of slots leading thereinto and a side aperturecommunicating with one of said slots and of a size to pass ahead of. thechain, said slots intersecting at points and being of such Width thatsaid chain link will readily fall into one of said slots under theaction of gravity on said chain and prevent the formation of a loop atthe stopper end of the chain when said chain is not taut,and the slotleading from said side aperture being formed to permit pass-age of achain link in one direction and to oppose but'not prevent passage ofsaid chain link in the opposite direction.

HENRY -Z. GORA.

